Tuesday, November 3, 2009

getting the loveseat slipcover done (click here to see) really motivated me to finish it all

and that meant the wingback chair....

(I'll tell you about the pillow later)

Ok I know think my family is really ready for me to be done

w/ such slipcover "excursions"

I call it an excursion because it takes me away from all reality

& normal mom / wife duties until I finish.....

don't worry the kids & hubby were fed..barely...the laundry was done..mostly..the house stayed somewhat together sort of (unless you consider pins & lint & fabric strewn all over 2 or 3 rooms for a week a problem....)

and there simply is not time to mess around at the grocery stores when

I need to finish!!!!

BUT

girls....

I am done.

NO......this is not the finished product!

this is the fabulous, loveliness that

has sat in my living room for months.......and months...

this is the before

I was actually going to post a tutorial on this whole process

but I had a total of 112 pictures.....

and thought that might be a lot little much...

but I can certainly bore show you some of the process...(if you'd like to look it over....)

the fabric above is a twin matelasse coverlet

(that I almost sold in our yard sale for $5!!!)

I am sooo glad no-one wanted it for the stiff 5 bucks I was asking!

I was trying to figure out what fabric to use .... I knew I didn't want white linen for all the furniture...

but I knew I wanted neutral... is there anything else?

so I started rummaging around in the little fabric I had left over from the yard sale. I was definitely in one of those 'get rid of everything moods' for that sale....

and I found the coverlet

and

~so it begins~

this is how it starts...cut out a piece bigger & longer than the front back

make sure it tucks in nice & lays flat

and start adding to it

one piece at a time

you do a lot of fitting & pinning

I like to pin everything together inside out & then turn it around periodically to check the fit

when you turn it around you can see where you need to make adjustments

you make piping

lots of piping....

you sew piping

you pin piping

you sew on piping

you run out of piping

you make more piping

you buy more cording

you make more piping

you pin piping

you see a pattern here?

can you see the coordinating fabric I used for the back?

it's cream denim

I really wanted to use burlap for the backside because I love

the way that looks....but I was really concerned about how

it

would

wash

up.

so I figured this was the next best thing

Now I don't want you to be mislead into thinking this project

didn't require the same amount of customary trips to a certain fabric store

where grouchy very helpful employees are always willing to help and with a.....um....smile...

And

I don't want you to imagine that I simply strolled in there and got my 2 yards of cream denim fabric off the bolt sitting on the rack...like that would be so normal and easy.

no

I will not let you imagine such a simple process

because

that is not what happened............

not at the only fabric store in town fabric store I go to.

so

here it is in a nutshell....3/4 yard on the bolt...so "ma'am you need to take a number & stand in this very long line to ask if there is anymore anywhere..in back or whatever....so I stand in line for 15 minutes so I can have the pleasure of asking my question ask my question. Then no there is no more fabric...(of course) "do you want just this amount?" said she. "no, it's not enough" said I.

oh great I'm thinking now what will I do & more importantly:

how long is this going to set me back??? don't they know how extremely important this project is?

I mean...I need to finish it now..................um ok not really but I want to!

but then the heavens opened & a dear sweet lady (who deserves a raise)

~helped me~

"let me check in back for a comparable fabric...ok?"

music to my ears

"thank you kind dear, I love you" is what I'm thinking

.....and she found some...... (choirs of angels singing)

so I got 1/2 cotton duck & 1/2 cream denim for the sides & back of my chair.

the fabric actually looks identical, the denim is just a bit softer.

ok

on w/ the slipcover.

working on the arms towards the end

attaching the back

measuring & cutting seat cushions

pinning & piecing together the sides

~

and before you know it...

no after many many hours...

it's finished!!

I used vintage linen napkins on the pleats...kind of fun ... they had the same color trim as the coverlet so I lucked out.

finished side panel w/ the skirt on

front view w/ skirt

wing w/ two coordinating fabrics

OK....now the official after....

what do you think?

I like it. I like the color & the texture w/ the rest of my linen furniture

70 comments:

I love your slipcover I am so glad I found your site.I have a camel back sofa and a wing back chair that i have been wanting to slipcover for about 3 years .I have the fabric and every thing.I just need to get started:)

I am in awe of anyone that can sew a straight line so you can imagine how I feel about what you have done with this chair. It is absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE the fabrics!! In spite of your tutorial, I still can't figure out a thing you did!! I am learning to sew, you know, and this just set my confidence totally back! lol!! Maybe someday I'll sew like this someday. Kudos to you for your hard work and for continuing to run your house!!;)

Hi! Well...what is your materials cost for the pillow? I would add that up and then you want to get at least $10 an hour for your labor. That seems like a good rule of thumb. I think it is beautiful and different. Let me know when you are ready to sell one and I would be honored to be your first customer : )

My stars I am just speechless, it came out so gorgeous, I wish I had the gumption to not only start a project like that but see it through :) I am so glad I found your blog, it is gorgeous and I love seeing what new projects you do. Thank you for sharing such great pictures,ideas and your beautiful home with us all ;) Rose

I have always wanted to do that, but I'm basically too lazy to attack such a project.I'm too busy lookin for stuff for my booth and painting everything in site. My upholstering talent is limited to a staple gun and a seat cushion! I love what you have done and you deserve a big fat award! You Go Girl!

You just crack me up! I'm soooo stoked that you finished this chair and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Unique, yet neutral...I'm hoping to tackle some slipcovers soon...I may be asking you lots of questions when the time comes :O)GREAT job Girl!

Hi Shellagh,again I'm speachless. great job indeed girl and a lot of patience too!! Thanks for sharing your work-in-progress pics. I still doubt I will ever be able to do it but still stare at your work in admiration.Have a nice evening!rita

you make slipcovering look so stinking easy. your wing chair slipcover looks great. Loved the story of the fabric store excursion. LOL, don't we all have those stories...and we NEED the fabric like yesterday, right? Haha, I had to laugh because I been there too.

Shellagh, you are extraordinary. What a joy to read and experience your humor! Such a fantastic completed project. WHAT kind of sewing machine are you using and how did you make the decision for that brand. Just extraordinary. I started a cotton duck slip cover for an old ottoman and my machine just couldn't make it through the bulk...so I'm waiting to hear from Miss Wilma over @ MaryJanes Farmgirl Connection as she's selling a machine and I can't wait to get my hands on it to complete my project, but I'll have to be patient. Awesome job Shellagh...we have very similar tastes...it's encouraging to see someone else livin' the dream! Thanks for posting!

Hi anonymous!I hope you get a chance to read my response to your question. It is VERY difficult to get through cotton duck. As you know from reading my post, I used cotton duck on just part of the slip & it was really tough to sew all the bulky parts together (piping & seams w/ the matelasse fabric & duck). I don't think I'd use it again because of the difficulty. I prefer the cream cotton denim ~ it looks identical, but is softer, irons much easier & is easier to work with. I know the duck is real sturdy but I think the denim is also sturdy enough. I'd like to try canvas dropcloth & see how that works.

Long answer..sorry..;-)

Your next Q was my machine. It's just a "brother" from costco a couple years ago. It was $200. I might start making slipcovers for other people & if I do I think I would consider upgrading to more of an industrial type or one that is made for heavy duty fabrics. For all the reasons above...

LOVE your beautiful blog. ABout the freezer paper...it has a very thin layer of wax on it that sticks to the fabric when you iron the paper. But when it cools, it peels off with the paper. Leaves NO residue. I have LOTS more Christmas projects coming up using the freezer paper. Thanks for stopping by.

WOW!!! Seriously, you are awesome!!!! I WISH I had the patients to take on a project like this! I have a chair just like it in my living room that need a slip cover BADLY! Badly, I tell you! Maybe I will work up the nerve! Will you hold my hand!?!??!?! - BEAUTIFUL job..as always!!

Shellagh, I don't know what I admire more. That AMAZING slipcover job or the guts it took to do it. I would be petrified to tackle that project. I am taking a slipcover class from a lady on the 21st. Maybe that'l give me the confidence I need. You rock! Lisa

Wowzer!!! What fabulous transformations! I just love your new sofa and wingback chair slipcovers! Girl, you are very talented...I can see that this is no easy feat! They turned out beautifully though!!! Thanks for including the tutorial...that is much appreciated! Maybe I'll give something like this a try sometime!!!

Warmest wishes,Chari @Happy To Design

PS...I added your blog to my list of blog follows...you have a delightful blog and I look forward to your upcoming posts! So happy to meet you, my friend!

Hi Shellagh, Wow that iss o amazing. you did an incredible job. Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving such a lovely comment, and following me. Look forward to sharing our interests in the blogging world, cheers Katherine

i attempted a wing-backed chair and it turned out good, but they're so tricky with the curves... you did a great job! in fact, i read about all three projects and think you should be so pleased. Yay!!!

What a super cute post! Your slipcover turned out gorgeous...I love how you mixed up the fabrics...it looks perfect....and the burlap pillow looks just beautiful on your sofa. Now, I'm actually gonna try to sew my own slipcovers too...but I've only just learned how to sew a square...wish me luck.

I adore your project!!!! I absolutely love matelasse and would have scarfed that sucker up if you had it in your yard sale, (oh, and IF I lived anywhere remotely near you! LOL)The pillow is absolutely gorgeous!!! I bow before you!!!

Thank you for stopping by my home today!I loved how you describe, exactly what it takes (a lot of work and time) to make a slipcover, I giggles all the way through your description:you sew pipingyou pin pipingyou sew on pipingyou run out of pipingyou make more pipingyou buy more cordingyou make more pipingyou pin piping

SO SO SO SO SO TRUE!!

When I sewed my matelasse slipcovers, it took the WHOLE queen-sized spread, per chair, and that with some creative patterning! So, I am not surprised you ran out, but love the result!!

I also have the same love seat you do, and sewed a slipcover for that. I will post about that sometime.I love your blog- thanks for the invite over to your home...I am going to look around while you bake some cookies... m'kay?

Alaina said.....I have tried to make a wing chair slipcover, failed the first time, and still trying to work up the curage to try again, so I know it is not an easy task. Well done, it looks excellent.

I love this chair slip! I have 2 matlasse coverlets to use for chairs. I guess I'm procrastinating. What great inspiration! Is the store you're talking about Hancock? If not, it sounds like our's. I've had others tell me they couldn't get anyone to help them at all! I went in last Saturday during a big sale...they had 3 employees in there. 1 at the decor fabric, 1 at the quilting fabric, and 1 at the register. Needless to say, all of the customers became "great freinds" while waiting in all of the LONG lines! I wish we had more choices. Kelly

This was a great tutorial to find. I've attempted this a few times from books, but was never happy with the result. It's been great to actually see photos of the real thing in progress. Thank you so much. It looks fab.Jacqui

Hi There! I found your blog when looking for fabric online to cover a couch in my playroom. I was planning on using ticking and toile!!! I also have never made a slip cover before and I was very happy to find this tutorial. I have a couple questions that I hope you will be able to answer for me. Iknow you are very busy with 6 ladies! I have 4 kids and my hair stands on end most days. :) First off.. how long did it take you to do this chair? My couch is a 2 piece boxy sectional. I don't expect immediate results but I don't want to become discouraged either. ANd also - how much seam allowance should I have? Your blog is so beautiful and I really enjoy reading it. Thanks!

This. Is. Genius!!!!! I love it! (sorry I'm finding it so late after the fact!) I love love love what you've done and the burlap pillow is so cute! I would love love love a tutorial or some advice on how to attach piping to a slipcover... you did an AMAZING job! I just did my first slipcovers and I just can't wrap my head around how to do the piping and there are no good tutorials out there that I know. Thanks for posting pictures!

hi hun, LOVE the slipcover. wanted to ask a quick question (which you may have already answered but fcouldnt find it after a quick scan). How do you actually get the cover on and off the chair ie. is there a buttoned section that you undo etc?I have to make a cover for a similar chair and wonder what is the easiest option for removing and putting back on.alicia :0)

I'm just catching up on your blog, tonight. I am so impressed with this slipcover makeover. I love that you used piping ... it has a more polished look. I had a Matelasse cover that I just sold in my booth. Dad gum! Wish I still had it. Great tute!

Wow, you are so creative! I just love your ideas. The burlap pillow with the lace trim on the white chair is so beautiful. I have been thinking about making slip covers for the wingbacks I inherited from my mom. I would love to do them just like yours. The piping really makes it, too. Much nicer with than without. I think I will put on some nice music and just go brain dead and do yards and yards of piping some night. Thank you for your instructions, they are very helpful!

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